Four AP ministers under CBI scanner in Jagan case

Hyderabad, June 1: Four Andhra Pradesh Ministers may come under CBI scanner for their alleged role in issuing controversial Government Orders that have become the basis for filing a case against YSR Congress chief YS

Hyderabad, June 1: Four Andhra Pradesh Ministers may come under CBI scanner for their alleged role in issuing controversial Government Orders that have become the basis for filing a case against YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy.

Jagan Reddy was arrested in an alleged disproportionate assets case on May 27 after being grilled for three days by the investigating agency.

Dharmana Prasada Rao, J Geeth Reddy, Ponnala Lakshmaih and Sabitha Reddy who held Revenue, Major Industries, Irrigation and Mining portfolio respectively during YS Rajasekhara Reddy' regime will be questioned for their role in issuing certain GOs that are alleged to have favoured some companies which in turn invested in Jagan Reddy's companies as Quid-pro-quo, CBI said in an affidavit field before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on March 12 issued notices to six Andhra Pradesh ministers and eight IAS officers on a plea alleging that the CBI was not proceeding against them despite having sufficient evidence that they helped Jagan Reddy accumulate massive illegal assets.

A bench headed by Justice Dalveer Bhandari issued the notices to CBI, ministers and the IAS officers and sought their stands on the petition filed by an advocate, Sudhakar Reddy.

The CBI had already arrested Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, former excise minister who held Infrastructure and ports portfolio in Rajasekhara Reddy Government in connection with the Jagan Reddy's alleged disproportionate assets case.

The CBI said it would examine Sabitha Reddy in connection with the GOs related to Bharathi Cements, prospective license to Penna Cements, mining lease for Limestone in favour of Saraswathi Power and Industries and transfer of mining lease held by Eswar Cements.

Ponnala will be examined in connection with the GOs related water supply permission to India Cements for its manufacturing facilities in the State.

Geetha Reddy will be questioned with regard to the GOs issued for Brahmani Steels, the CBI said in its affidavit adding Dharmana will be questioned on issues related to Raghuram cements' request to exempt 39.55 acres of land from land ceiling for setting up cement factory.

The probe agency has almost given clean chit to CVSK Sharma and K Ratnaprabha IAS officers and SV Prasad a retired IAS who received notices from the apex court.

Though the CBI gave clean chit to Sam Bob, another IAS officer in issuing a GO allowing reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fee in respect of Ramky Pharma City, he along with minster Geetha Reddy may be examined in connection with the GOs related Brahmani Steel proposed to be set by jailed Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, the CBI informed the Supreme Court.